Ssssh! This place is a secret!!!…read more Sorry, but sometimes you get a little bit like that when you find a blast from the past like this. This is a proper bowls club, complete with little old men and hilarious bar staff. Drinks are CHEAP, chips are decent and if you can be bothered bowling it's also very well priced (where else can you have fun for $4?) Just don't spread it around too hard please. Oh, and make sure you have a designated driver. It's at the bottom of Bardon so walking anyway is a long, up hill trek.

I've always generally considered Bardon as the sticks. It's beautiful, overgrown with lush trees…read moreand plants. As you're heading out from Paddington, the row of boutique stores, pubs and cafes tapers off and all of a sudden you find yourself following a long, winding country like road, driving over quaint little bridges and dipping down into gullies. The Bardon Bowls Club is nestled in one of these said gullies. It's a well hidden gem. Bardon Bowls Club is a no frills kind of establishment. The most notable decor feature is the XXXX backing against the beer taps. The drinks are ludicrously cheap. Since when can you get a cider for $4.50? You can take a seat inside the club, but I reckon it's nicer if you head outside to the lawn. The bowls club has a lush backdrop of wilderness that sets the scene for an easy afternoon. If you hand in a $20 deposit, you can play bowls for $4. Because it's well tucked away, the bowls club doesn't really get a whole lot of business. It's really a place for the locals. Personally, I like being able to have an entire bowls club to myself whenever I want it.

Sometimes in the quest for finding the right fitness venue, it's right under your nose, blocked by…read morethe lingering smell of linament. So, forget about finding something in the city - if that's where you work - because the best time to work-out and get in the zone is far earlier than when the bus calls, if you're a fan of public transport, or when you're trapped outside of the T2 lane. Dial up a work-out time of around 6 a.m. at The Gap Health & Racquet Club and you'll find yourself in a sensational sweat and near solo as you work through the static and free weight machines and get that metabolism up to Mach speed that will kill any kilojoules consumed during the day - and even into the night for that matter! The Gap Health & Racquet Club has been the site of other health and well-being venues over the years, but seems to have found its followers in this incarnation that offers the traditional gym work-out plus tennis and racquet ball as alternative cardio sports. The facilities - and I was just there yesterday - are clean and hygienic - with a robust and friendly feel that evokes and encourages a comfort level of camaraderie that's often lacking in traditional gyms. And you won't find any gaps standing in your way when it comes to that experience!

From the owner: Social tennis is a great option for those who want to play tennis in a relaxed and friendly…read moreenvironment.

Really awful service. Was told upon joining I would have no…read morecancellation fees as it was the only way my roommate and myself would sign up that day and they are now making me stay in the contract and refusing to talk to the person that signed me up about it. So I either have to pay $245 to leave or continue paying for a total of around $600. They are basically calling me a liar even with a written statement from my roommate

Today I joined Goodlife in Ashgrove. Even though I just wanted to pop in, sign up, and get to work,…read moreI liked that they sit down with each newcomer to understand why you are joining, what you are trying to accomplish and explain a bit about all that the gym offers. Its like the beginning of a beautiful friendship... with a gym. The group classroom is massive and they have a good number of cardio and exercise machines - however they are missing a few of my favorites that were available at my past health clubs. I think I can make a few recommendations. I will report back on my thoughts on classes after I have had a decent sample. There is a discounted rate for Bupa members (and other private health insurance I assume) if there are any other expats in the crowd!

The old Brothers Grange has left its Crusher's Leagues Club identity behind ad returned to its…read moreroots. At first glance, it still has a bit of that 70s feel in the decor but looks clean & tidy. Staff are friendly & Reuben, the F&B Manager seemed to be everywhere ensuring it all ran smoothly. There was a big party already there when we arrived for dinner on a Friday night, but we were seated promptly. Old-school pub style: you order and pay at the bar & meals are delivered to your table. The food was sensational! MSA quality beef served with chips or potato AND veges or salad. Up there with the best steak I've had in Brisbane I'd say. We had a 2 for 1 voucher from their advertising brochure, so the most expensive items we ordered: Reef & Beef with prawns & calamari though normally $33 was a bargain priced $16.50 each. There is a buffet as well, and many other meal choices under $20 They also do a $10 steak on Monday nights if your looking for a cheap date night out, and a few other bargains throughout the week, trivia etc There was a good little guitarist playing covers & a play area for the kids. Pokies & a TAB in the adults play area ;) All in all it reminded me of going to the footy club with my parents in the country in the late 70s, back when kids fitted in with what the family schedule rather than the other way around ;) We will definitely be back. A casual place for a large or small bunch to enjoy a good dinner & a few drinks.

I had my birthday party recently at Brothers Grange. It was the ideal place if you are working on…read morea budget and want to provide drinks and food at a reasonable price. The staff were excellent and catered for my needs. Everyone had a great time. Thanks Brothers for making it a success.

Like many of Brisbane's parks, Woolcock has gone over the last decade from being nothing more than…read moredirt, grass and a few lonely old swings to a respectable modern park. Woolcock is part of Brisbane's sweeping overhaul of park beautification and standardisation: sprawling, rolling and well-maintained grass; a playground including awesome swings that regrettably weren't around when I was a kid; and a path for power-walkers... in Woolcock's case, the path is stone and called Reflexology Walk. I'm no reflexology follower, but after loudly reading the sign with amusement I figured if I was going to talk the talk then I'd better walk the walk, so off went the shoes and I was taking the path to better health. Well, that's what the sign said; aside from the pleasant sensation of smooth pebbles on my feet, I did not develop the inferred health superpowers. However, it snakes by a creek and call me a cynic but it's damn pretty. Overall, like a park should be, the vibe is relaxed. Though not officially a dog park, many people bring their pets here for friendly interaction and some off-leash playing. The park also draws in a weekend crowd of families wanting to BBQ somewhere picturesque and not overcrowded: no one likes having to duel a stranger with tongs for the rights to a picnic bench. In terms of events, around a year ago I accidentally stumbled upon a fair at Woolcock. Though I'm not sure what it was in aid of, there were many real estate company tents set up, looking lonely beside stalls selling trinkets and fairy floss. People with dogs chatted with others about their respective pets and blocked the pathway (me included). There was also a sausage sizzle which I lined up for and heartily enjoyed even though I knew the meat was probably 40% cardboard. My dog also loves it here, as it's frequented by some of the people outside of our family who can actually stand her.

Ah Woolcock Park. I lived around the corner from here in 2002 and was among the first residents…read moreto enjoy the then newly upgraded facilities. I used to congregate here with my friends for a vegie-q, some yo ho ing and maybe a spot of fire stick twirling. Look I was young alright? It's nice to see the facilities have been well maintained in the intervening decade. This is a lovely park for families, friends or, yes, groups of urban hippies to enjoy and the BBQ's are still available (God I love that Brisbane parks have BBQ's, take that Melbourne! We finally win a point!) If you're in the area this is a little urban oasis that you should definitely come visit.